Wild's Dowell girds for familiar Blackhawks faces

Jake Dowell with the the Chicago Blackhawks in 2011. (Abelimages / Getty Images)

ST. PAUL, Minn. -- Jake Dowell keeps in touch with former Chicago Blackhawks teammates mostly through text messages, and when everyone runs into one another at a rink, the jabs start coming.

Those pokes and prods will be of a more literal variety on Tuesday night.

"Absolutely," Dowell said. "That's my job. If I'm not, then I won't be in anymore."

The 28-year-old Dowell was recalled from the Minnesota Wild's AHL affiliate earlier this week and appears set to join the lineup against the Hawks for Game 4, presumably to add even more grit to a lineup that got physical in a Game 3 win and expects push-back on Tuesday.

Dowell played just two games with the Wild during the regular season, spending most of his time with AHL Houston, skating in 37 games there.

"It's always tough to watch, because obviously you want to be a part of it," Dowell said. "But the guys have been great around here, making me feel a part of it, making me feel ready. Clearly everybody is champing at the bit to get in and be a part of the Stanley Cup playoffs and do their part. I'm the same way."

Said Wild coach Mike Yeo: "Jake is a serviceable player, obviously he can play center, play wing. What we're looking for, especially on that line, is playing the game responsibly without the puck, playing well defensively, but also bringing a physical element to the game."

That it's the Hawks on the other side amplifies the opportunity. Dowell played in parts of four seasons with the Hawks, his biggest contribution a 79-game effort in 2010-11.

"It's always fun to play old teammates and good friends and stuff, but to be able to do it in the playoffs, and obviously with the caliber of team Chicago is, it makes it more fun," Dowell said.

Meanwhile, the Wild will again start Josh Harding in goal for Game 4. Trade deadline acquisition Jason Pominville remained questionable for Game 4 as he continues to recover from a concussion.

"We'll have to see on that, it was another good step today," Yeo said. "Good to see he had another good day. We'll see."